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International Traveler: Plants, Plant

Parts, Cut Flowers, and Seeds

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The United States restricts or prohibits the entry of many agricultural products,

which can carry foreign pests and diseases that harm American agriculture and our

environment. Help us keep American agriculture healthy by following the guidance

on this page about products you may want to bring into the United States.

Travelers entering the United States must declare

all agricultural or wildlife products.

Travelers entering the United States must declare all agricultural or wildlife products

to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. You must also tell them if you visited

a farm or were in contact with animals before traveling to the United States.

U.S. agricultural inspectors will examine your items to be sure they meet entry

requirements and do not harbor harmful foreign pests or diseases. U.S. inspectors

have the authority to make a final determination about whether your products can

enter the country. We recommend that you keep receipts and original packaging of

agricultural products as proof of their country of origin.
As long as you declare all of the agricultural products you are bringing

with you, you will not face any penalties—even if an inspector determines

that they cannot enter the country.

Plants and Seeds that You CAN and CANNOT Bring

Back to the United States

General Guidance

Many plants, plant parts and seeds from foreign countries may enter the United

States provided they meet certain requirements to prevent the introduction of plant

pests and diseases. These requirements vary depending on the type of plant,

whether you are bringing the whole plant or just parts of the plant, the country of

origin, and its intended use. Travelers should plan ahead because you may need to

obtain a permit or other official documents, which can take up to 30 business days

to process. To determine the specific requirements for your situation, please contact

APHIS’ Plant Import Information Line at 877-770-5990 (toll-free) or by email at

plantproducts.permits@aphis.usda.gov.

Plants and Plant Parts for Growing (Nursery Stock, Roots, Bulbs, etc.)

Plants in soil are prohibited.

Travelers may bring 12 or fewer bare-rooted plants (no soil, sand, earth, or other

growing media) if they meet the following conditions:

The plants are not otherwise prohibited, protected under the Endangered

Species Act or Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild

Fauna and Flora, or subject to any special restrictions, such as post-entry

quarantine or treatment

You have a phytosanitary certificate issued by the National Plant Protection

Organization of the country you are leaving indicating the plants are free of

pests and diseases

U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspects the plants at the first port of entry

and determines they are free of pests and diseases and meet all entry

requirements
Travelers may wrap plants in damp newspaper or similar material to prevent them

from drying out. Roots may be secured in a plastic bag.

Travelers who want to bring 13 or more plants must obtain an import permit from

APHIS and mail or ship the plants directly to the nearest USDA Plant Inspection

Station. You may not hand carry 13 or more plants into the country. All costs to

move or treat the plants (should USDA detect any pests or diseases) will be at the

expense of the importer.

Please call APHIS’ Plant Import Information Line at 877-770-5990 (toll-free) or by

email at plantproducts.permits@aphis.usda.gov.

Seeds

Seeds from trees and shrubs are prohibited in passenger baggage.

Travelers may bring seeds of admissible herbaceous plants for planting if they meet

the following conditions:

The seeds are not otherwise prohibited, protected under the Endangered

Species Act or Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild

Fauna and Flora, or subject to any special restrictions, such as post-entry

quarantine or treatment*

You have a phytosanitary certificate issued by the National Plant Protection

Organization of the country you are leaving indicating the seeds are free of

pests and diseases

U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspects the seeds at the first port of entry

and determines they are free of pests and diseases and meet all entry

requirements

*Please call APHIS’ Plant Import Information Line at 877-770-5990 (toll-free) or by

email at plantproducts.permits@aphis.usda.gov.

Fresh Cut Flowers and Greenery

Fresh cut flowers and greenery must be presented to U.S. Customs and Border

Protection (CBP) at the first port of entry for inspection. If the CBP agricultural

specialist or officer finds harmful plant pests or diseases on your cut flowers or

greenery or determines that the items do not meet entry requirements, they may

refuse entry. Some cut flowers and greenery may have to meet additional
requirements for entry into the United States if they are edible, may be planted and

grown, or if they are from endangered or protected plant species. For more

information, please contact APHIS’ Plant Import Information Line at 877-770-5990

(toll-free) or by email at plantproducts.permits@aphis.usda.gov.

Need Help?

If you can't find your commodity listed above, browse the Agricultural Import

Requirements Database.

If you still have questions about a particular plant or plant products (fruits,

vegetables, plant parts, seeds, soil, or souvenirs made from wood or plants), contact

us.

Phone: 877-770-5990 (toll-free)

Email: plantproducts.permits@usda.gov